Plenty of SUVs and crossovers boast about off-road abilities –but how far can they actually go? MotorTrend editors decided to test two examples for themselves, pitting the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness against the Honda Passport TrailSport.
It seems like it an even match-up, given both are two-row mid-size SUVs with rugged features and looks. Yet, there are some clear differences to parse out.
Let's start with the suspension and the vehicle's stance. Ground clearance is an important factor in an SUV's abilities off the beaten path, especially when it comes time to navigate around (or over) an obstacle. The 2026 Outback Wilderness stands at 9.5 inches above the surface, an advantage of 1.2 inches over the Passport TrailSport. Both come with protection underneath the body, but the 2026 Outback Wilderness sports an integrated grille with additional front protection and a protetctive rear bumper design, to boot. The Subaru's suspension system also includes responsive dampers uniquely tuned for the Wilderness model, which are developed to handle the ruts and broken surfaces found on aggressive trails and poorly-maintained roads.
While the Honda’s V-6 engine has more horsepower, the Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder engine puts down more torque. The advantage of having more torque is the pulling power needed to muscle through challenging terrain is available at lower engine and vehicle speeds. While both vehicles boast standard all-wheel drive systems, the 2026 Outback Wilderness has the Symmetrical system that yields the flattest driveline, thanks to the horizontally opposed engine layout, which also means a more balanced center of gravity from front to back.
Both vehicles offer selectable drive modes, allowing the driver to tailor traction control, ABS, stability control, transmission programming, and throttle response parameters to best suit the sort of terrain at hand. Subaru goes a step further with its dual-mode X-MODE system, which quickly changes between off-road-focused settings with a push of the button on the steering wheel.
The Outback Wilderness is packed with plenty of technology inside, including a new 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen which has won praise for its legibility and quick response to input. Every 2026 Outback - including the Outback Wilderness - is also equipped with standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, including the Wilderness.
In the end of this comparison, MotorTrend picked the 2026 Outback Wilderness over the Passport TrailSport. In summary, it said that it was “a capable, fun-to-drive crossover that’s great to live with, if not to look at" - and for less money, too!
The 2026 Outback Wilderness is available at Twin Falls Subaru. Contact us to get a comprehensive tour of how this winning SUV will win you over.